2

Generally safe:
Pitocin (oxytocin) can make you contract too much. To prevent this, usually it is started at a low dose and increased slowly until the contractions are close enough together to open the cervix. Not everyone needs Pitocin (oxytocin) in labor. It is used when the contractions a woman is having on her own are not opening the cervix.
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4

No.:
Oxytocin is produced in the pituitary gland. Recovering hormones from humans (or animals) is associated w/ many risks. So there is no good reason to attempt to extract from living or dead persons/animals. To my knowledge, this is not being done anywhere. Oxytocin is a relatively easy protein made in the lab w/ the identical Amino Acid sequence found naturally in human beings -& it works perfectly.
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7

Oxytocin:
Oxytocin is a powerful hormone. When we hug or kiss a loved one, oxytocin levels drive up. It also acts as a neurotransmitter in the brain. In fact, the hormone plays a huge role in pair bonding. Prairie voles, one of nature's most monogamous species, produce oxytocin in spades. This hormone is also greatly stimulated during sex, birth, breast feeding, and the list goes on.
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8

Fetal statuss check:
A oxytocin challenge test(oct) involves giving a pregnant mother the drug to stimulate at least 3 contractions in a 10 minute interval to check whether the fetal heart rate accelerates(reassuring) or declines. It allows the OB md to check on the fetal status especially when there are concerns about the baby's wellbeing.
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10

Depends on cervix:
Before induction your current cervical exam is used as a determinant for which mode of induction. Cervidil is most likely used when the cervix is less soft, dilated, and effaced (thinned out), and more posterior, as it increases prostaglandins release to stimulate dilation, thinning and softening. Those who are already dilated and effaced benefit more from pitocin (oxytocin).
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